Fly Reels Fishers IN

Local resource for fly reels in Fishers. Includes detailed information on local businesses that provide access to fly fishing supplies, fly fishing guides, fly fishing stores, fly fishing lessons and fly fishing schools, as well as advice and content on fly fishing products and services.

Fly Rod Materials

First let’s talk about the different materials that fly rods are made of today. The three most popular materials are bamboo, fiberglass and graphite, with the graphite rod being the most popular. There are many differing opinions on which is best but the key is to select the one that you feel most comfortable with and can afford.

GraphiteWithout a doubt, graphite fly rods are the most popular fly rod today. That’s why I decided to start with them. These rods are the “new kids on the block”. All graphite rods are not equal. For that matter, not all graphite is equal. Graphite is a man-made material and new processes are constantly being introduced but to keep things simple, the biggest difference in these rods is the weight. Generally speaking, the lighter the rod, the more expensive it is (in most cases). The old adage “You get what you pay for” usually applies here. You want to be careful in selecting your rod that you don’t get the least expensive one you find (even for the beginner) because in many cases, this will lead to purchasing another rod in a few short years because of the poor quality of the first rod. When looking at a fly rod, make sure to check the reel seat, guides, grip, etc. to ensure they are all tight and made of a good, quality material so they aren’t breaking down on you shortly after your purchase. On the flip side, I strongly believe that you don’t want to right out and purchase a top of the line rod right out of the gate either until you have had a chance to get some experience under your belt. Then you can go back and look for the rod of your dreams that will last you a lifetime. In terms of price, graphite rods are usually the middle of the road. They’re always less than an equivalent bamboo rod and generally more expensive than an equivalent fiberglass rod. Graphite fly rods are also more forgiving to beginners and allow for both longer and more accurate casts. Additionally, you’ll be thankful for the lighter weight after your first all day adventure on the stream. These features are probably what make the graphite rods so popular.

BambooAccording to the history books, the first fly rods were made out of bamboo. Believe it or not, these fly rods are still used today by some of the more advanced fly fishermen. Being that these rods are not the obvious choice for beginners, I won’t spend much time on them but let it be known that if you ever run into someone that is fishing with a bamboo rod, there’s a good chance that this person is the benefactor of some rich fly fishing tradition and may have been taught by his/her father or grandfather on a bamboo rod. Today’s bamboo rods are easy to care for. All that’s required is that they are wiped down after each use and polished with a paste style furniture polish before putting away. To store the rod, separate the pieces and keep them in the rod sack inside a protective rod tube and keep it in a climate controlled room (not an attic or a damp basement). Lay the rod tube horizontally to avoid warping. Bamboo fly rods are inherently slow action. They are also quite a bit heavier in comparison to today's lightweight graphite and fiberglass fly rods and despite the high price (I’ve seen these for upwards of $1500), bamboo fly rods are still considered the finest fly rods on the market.

FiberglassFiberglass rods seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. With the introduction of the graphite rod, most people have traded in the heavier fiberglass rods for the lighter and more forgiving graphite rods. Still, fiberglass rods have their benefits, of which the greatest is price. These rods are the least expensive, making them quite appealing to younger fishermen and beginners. Also, fiberglass fly rods seem virtually indestructible. You may crush one in a car door or inadvertently step on one and break it but it is quite unlikely that a fish will ever break one.

Retrieval Systems

The retrieve system of a fly reel is not of vital importance. What is meant by the retrieve system is how the fly reel retrieves line and how fast it does it.

The first type and by far the most popular is the single action. This means that when you turn the reel handle one complete revolution, you will have also completed one turn of the spool as well. They are by far the most durable.

The second type of retrieve system is the multiplying reel. This system incorporates a series of gears whereby one turn of the fly reel produces more than one turn of the spool itself. This allows the line to be reeled in much quicker. The drawback with these types of reels is that the potential exists for these reels to break more often than a single action fly reel because there are more moving parts involved.

The third type of retrieve system is the automatic fly reel. Fly fishing purists have much disdain for the automatic as they view it as taking away the challenge, but it does help in line control. This reel automatically retrieves all fly line at the press of a trigger. One problem with this type of reel is that they are heavy and not very durable because of the motorized system within. They typically do not allow you to set varying degrees of drag and do not hold as much backing as other reels.

Selecting a Fly Reel

Ok, now that you have the basics down on selecting a fly rod, it’s time to figure out what reel will best compliment that new rod. Quality does matter when selecting a reel for trout fishing. A fly reel is more than a device to store line. When you hook a large fish, your rod will help you fight it but it’s your reel that will help you keep from losing it. A high quality fly reel will truly last a lifetime and will cost a minimum two hundred dollars. A good quality fly reel, may not last a lifetime but it will last many years and will provide reliable duty in the field and will cost a little over a hundred dollars. A cheap fly reel will be less than fifty dollars and is perfect if you are simply fishing for small trout and panfish all of the time.

Another thing to keep in mind about fly reels is how resistant they are to corrosion. A cheap fly reel often has nothing more than a cheap coat of varnish on it that soon wears off. Once that's gone, the reel will frequently start developing rust spots. A good quality fly reel will resist all forms of rust and corrosion.

An additional consideration is how easy it is to add an extra spool. If you’re only going to be using floating fly line, this is not a concern. However, most fishermen sooner or later end up with several types of fly lines based on the type of fishing they’ll be doing. The ability to easily switch spools from the fly reel is a big factor and will probably be a feature of the good and high quality reels. Make sure you buy extra spools at the time you buy your fly reel. If you wait until two years later, you'll probably not be able to find an extra spool that will fit your reel.

Orvis offers a wide selection of the highest quality reels on the market and they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Orvis states "The Orvis Satisfaction Guarantee: For 150 years, Orvis has offered the strongest return policy in the business. We will refund your money on any purchase that does not provide you with 100% satisfaction. Anytime, for any reason. It's that simple." Orvis is number one for a reason.

Cabelas also has a some fine fly fishing reels to choose from like Abel, St.Croix, J.Ryall, Redington, etc. They also have their own line of graphite reels as well, all at a price that won't break the bank. Check out their selection of fly fishing reels here.

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